I'm tellin' ya, he just ain't human!

I need a cigarette now. And I don't even smoke.

TommyP. thanks for sharing that clip. Your short intro really made it even better. Amazing to watch.

Mark and FatherTime!...

THANKS, and glad you liked the little backstory. I've been such a fan of Buddy's.. ( 43 years! ) .. that I have researched TONS on his drums/performances, etc. as well as having a HUGE collection of "all things Buddy". It's nice to share some of the little anecdotes as they make the clip a little more personal!

Tommyp

I remember through High School, me and my best friend would call each other whenever Buddy was on the Tonite show.

Tommy, thanks so much. I never missed A buddy Rich Performance on Johnny Carson Show, In fact when I met Buddy I told Him That fact, He asked Me If I saw the Show when Johnny and Himself Buddy Played on the Show together?? My answer was you two never played on the show together, at least not on the air, He smiled and said testing you?? if you can make out the pics this is when I saw him In Charlotte Nc. Jazz Festival this was right after his quad bypass, the third pic that is me standing behind him on Buddies Bus Platform, he gave me a set of sticks and the tee shirt, my bud snapping the pics and I got 30 minutes on the bus with buddy, Yeah starstruck comes to mind!

Cool story Mark!.. ( although I think the pic with you is missing from the trio that you put up? ) .. and, not an attempt to outdo you!, but...

I saw Buddy LIVE 5 times between 1973 and 1978, quite at the height of his powers. I mean BR was always "The Master"... but he was positively blazin' in the early 70's, plus what a band he had too. Of course this was prior to Steve Marcus even. That said...

I also met with him, one on one in his dressing room back in 1973. I was but 17 at the time, and what a story it is too. Let's just say that I caught him in a bit of a compromising situation, and one that Buddy wasn't too pleased about at first. Good grief. But after the dust had settled... ( and he got some clothes on! LOL! ) ... we had a nice chat. I did of course get his autograph, but didn't have my camera as I left that with my buddy out in the theatre... MORON. Course I was but 17... Of interest: Buddy was playing his Slingerland's of course, but with the Fibes SFT 690/COF snare drum. That drum positively roared... or was whisper quiet. Buddy was always in complete control. Sidenote:

I have every appearance he made on "The Tonight Show" in clip format. It takes up THREE DVD's! ( which were transferred from VHS ) You are of course correct... Buddy and Johnny never played together on the show publicly, but I bet they did otherwise though! :-D

Tommyp

Tommy,Oh heck No that's OK I know your a Huge Huge BR Fan, the third pic I'm right behind buddy, but all that is visible of me is the BR Band tee shirt and the sticks in my hand. Buddy gave both of them to me, and The conversation about the Did you see us both play on the show after I gave Him my answer, he said Johnny would not play in front of the cast or public, He said Johnny said Your the drummer and I'm the comedian, hey just telling another lucky fan story Of Great fortune to get to see a side of the real Buddy Rich, My motto has always been You treat them as you would want others to treat you, and to just treat stars as people, which is what stars are, I've had the good fortune to meet a lot of my heroes, and a lot more that I haven't gotten to meet. Oh well such is life. this is a Really cool thread.

Hey Mark!...

You know I stared and stared at that third picture, but to me it looked like it was of the trombonist carrying his trombone/stand!... although please don't misunderstand, I don't doubt you for a second here... it's a GREAT story! Gotta agree too...

Buddy was COMPLETELY DIFFERENT in private than he "could be" publicly. I have had numerous conversations with Bill Ludwig III.. ( B III ) .. about this as Buddy would stay at their house to hang and have dinner when he was in Chicago with the band during his Ludwig endorsement period. Sadly, he wasn't always gracious when his fans wanted a few moments with him either.. you and I caught him in the right mood... especially me as I also caught him near naked! LOL!! And he still gave me some time in spite of that! You know,

I don't post a whole lot.. ( and neither does David as we figure this is YOUR forum, as in the membership ) .. but a Buddy thread draws me in every time! LOL!!

Tommyp

Tommy, OMG! Your Correct, So Sorry I 've got the wrong pic in my brain. the computer pics is better than my real pic. Hehe:)I'll post the other ones when I find them?